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Suntory International Corp history
Suntory International Corp company history timeline
1968: The first Suntory draft beer is launched.
In 1970, Suntory revolutionized how the Japanese food and drinking culture by creating the “Mizuwari,” a water-and-whisky drink that was easy to drink and enjoy with Japanese cuisine.
1970: The company enters into a distribution agreement to import Brown-Forman whiskey brands into Japan.
The growth in demand for Suntory's whiskey led the company to build a new distillery in Hakushu in 1973.
Launch of Akadama Port Wine* *renamed to Akadama Sweet Wine in 1973
Tomi Noble Rouge 1976, Japan's first "red" noble rot grape wine marketed in limited quantities.
Suntory's history in China began in 1979 with the export of whisky.
1980: The company forms the Pepcom bottler for PepsiCo in the United States.
1981: The company builds a third distillery, also in Hakushu.
In 1981, Suntory introduced a canned oolong tea at a time when carbonated soft drinks and juice mainly dominated the non-alcoholic beverage market.
In 1981, Suntory actively participated in China's reform and opening up by sponsoring the first international marathon in China, the 1981 Beijing International Marathon.
In 1984, Suntory entered China, forming the joint venture China Jiangsu Suntory Foods Co.
The company also bought a California vineyard, Chateau St Jean, in 1984, and later turned to Germany, buying Weingut Robert Weil, based in Rheingau.
Among the company's successes in that field are the Surfinia petunia, introduced in 1989, and, backed by its acquisition of Australia's Florigene Pty.
Ltd. starting in 1990, the début of the world's first successful blue rose.
1990: The company begins acquisition of Florigene in Australia and begins development of "blue rose."
Shinichiro Torii becomes 3rd president (1990).
In 1992, the company formed a joint venture to introduce the Subway fast-food chain into Japan.
In 1995, the company moved into Shanghai, forming Suntory Brewing (Shanghai) Co.
Suntory (Shanghai) Beer Co., Ltd., established in 1995, took the lead in introducing Refreshing Beer, which is popular with consumers.
Tomi 1996, Suntory's premium wine, presented with the Champion award at an international competition.
Shanghai Suntory Meilin Food Co., Ltd., established in the same year, launched a range of drinks centered on oolong tea and fresh orange juice in 1997.
Keizo Saji died in 1999, leaving his son Nobutada Saji in charge of the family-held company.
In 1999, Suntory established Suntory (China) Holding Co., Ltd. to consolidate all Suntory companies in China.
Unfortunately, the Toa company that owned Hanyu Distillery declared bankruptcy and had to shut down the distillery in 2000.
Nobutada Saji becomes 4th president (2001).
For example, in 2003, Suntory’s Yamazaki 12 Year Old won the Gold Award at the International Spirits Challenge in the UK.
Saji had built Suntory into one of the world's largest drinks companies, with sales of more than $12 billion at the end of 2003, and Japan's leading drinks group.
Ichiro Akuto, along with the help of another brewery and lesser known whisky company, was able to rescue the remaining stock of Hanyu Distillery and established Venture Whisky Ltd. in 2004.
2004: Suntory introduces the world's first successful blue rose.
Launch of Mizuiku (2004), Suntory's Education Program for Nature and Water is designed to provide children with interactive experiences and classes in local schools to help them appreciate and realize the importance of nature and natural water.
In 2004, this groundbreaking research leads to the development of the world's first blue rose, which had been considered impossible to create.
The Premium Malt's wins Japan's first Grand Gold Medal* for the beer category at the Monde Selection in 2005, and continues on to win this prestigious Medal for the next two consecutive years.
New corporate logo adopted in 2005.
In 2006, Suntory acquired Shanghai Fosters Brewery Co., Ltd., which further consolidated Suntory's leading position in the Shanghai beer market.
First annual Suntory Open Golf Tournament held (continued until 2007).
Suntory acquires the Frucor Group, and the Orangina Schweppes Group in 2009.
Hakushu Distillery in 2010.
Yamazaki 25 Years Old awarded the World's Best Single Malt Whisky prize at the World Whiskies Awards 2012.
Lucozade Ribena Suntory Limited is established in 2013.
Awarded at top prize of the Trophy for Hibiki 21 Years Old and awarded the Distillery of the Year award at the International Spirits Challenge (ISC) 2013.
Matt Shattock, Chairman, CEO of Beam Suntory Inc. and president Saji in May 2014
Suntory Whisky Hibiki 21 Years Old and Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve awarded the Trophy at the International Spirits Challenge 2014.
With the acquisition of Beam in 2014, Suntory also welcomed Tequila-maker Casa Sauza into its family.
Hibiki 21 Years Old awarded World's Best Blended Whisky prize at the World Whiskies Awards 2016
In 2017, Beam Suntory China Inc. was established, just three years after Beam had joined the Suntory group, making us the third-largest premium spirits company in the world*.
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Suntory International Corp competitors
| Company name | Founded date | Revenue | Employee size | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beam Suntory | 2011 | $63.5M | 4,800 | 34 |
| Filterfresh Coffee Service, Inc. | 1984 | $21.0M | 30 | - |
| Trading Post Homes | 1946 | $4.9M | 50 | - |
| VerTerra | 2007 | $660,000 | 1 | - |
| Janome America | 1921 | $14.0M | 92 | 1 |
| Flexi Compras | 2002 | $8.9M | 25 | - |
| Tomar Industries | 1968 | $24.1M | 30 | - |
| Domestic | 1926 | $710.0M | 3,000 | - |
| Centerra Wine Company Inc | 1945 | $54.0M | 153 | - |
| Therm-All | 1981 | $18.3M | 50 | - |
Suntory International Corp history FAQs
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